Don Edwards San Francisco Bay Wildlife Refuge

Just outside of Santa Clara is the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay Wildlife Refuge, part of a large complex throughout the Bay consisting of salt marshes and wetlands.  It is home to a number of protected species and migratory birds.   After dropping the boys off at Great America I took a quick drive over to this interesting site. 

There are a number of trails that provide several miles of paths and viewing opportunities along with benches to rest though most benches were covered with bird droppings (I'm convinced it's their way of saying "don't stay here too long").   There are a variety of birds and while I didn't come across any mammals, like the harbor seals that haul out in this area, they do use this protected area as well for their pups.

There were large numbers of American White Pelicans and Black-Necked Stilts on either side of the path I took.   The black-necked stilt displayed both distractive and more aggressive behavior to "protect" their nests.  They would fly off and perform a distracting display but a couple of them actively "dive bombed" me as I continued along the path.  There were a few Great Egret's and even a feeding Double-crested Cormorant that was entertaining to watch as it dived beneath the water in search of food.  

The National Wildlife Refuges throughout the United States are fantastic places that offer protected areas to carefully observe these neat animals in a natural environment.  I plan to visit more.   Here are a few pictures.